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North Korea reportedly moves tanks to Chinese border over 'betrayal' fears - The Week
Chung Sung-Jun
North Korea has reportedly moved tanks as well as armored vehicles to its border with China.
The vehicles are reportedly being sent to an army corps near the border, The Chosun Ilbo, one of South Korea's largest newspapers, reports. North Korea's 12th Corps is in charge of "responding to movements of Chinese troops in an emergency."
There is some cause for skepticism, however, as the report came from a single, unnamed source, and nothing has been confirmed by China or North Korea. The source claimed that the tanks and armored vehicles were moved to the border because North Korea fears China could "betray" it over its nuclear program.
If true, though, it would be the latest example of China and North Korea's fraying relationship. While China is by far North Korea's most important ally — and the main provider of its fuel, arms, and food — Beijing is reportedly growing tired of Pyongyang's behavior, especially the renewal of its nuclear program. It was even said that China recentlycut off North Korea's fuel supply. So the question is: Is this North Korea's way of telling China it won't be easily bullied?
--Meghan DeMaria
The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - N.Korea Moves Tanks, Armored Vehicles to Chinese Border
N.Korea Moves Tanks, Armored Vehicles to Chinese Border
North Korea has moved scores of tanks and armored vehicles to an Army corps near the border with China in Ryanggang Province. The 12th Corps, which was established in 2010, is tasked with responding to movements of Chinese troops in an emergency.
A source on Monday said about 80 tanks have been deployed in Ryanggang Province, where there had not been a single one before. The corps has been "turned into an attack force after it has been reinforced" with an armored infantry unit, a unit of multiple rocket launchers, and a special warfare and sharpshooter brigade.
North Korean tanks parade to mark the 60th anniversary of the armistice that halted the Korean War in Pyongyang on July 27, 2013. /Reuters-Newsis
Some 80 new armored vehicles are expected to be deployed soon to the 42nd Brigade in the province. Leader Kim Jong-un has reportedly ordered the rapid deployment of these new vehicles, which have a top speed of 80km/h carrying 10 to 15 troops.
More than 10 new tanks with an automatic fire-control system and a computer monitor have also been deployed to this unit.
The source attributed the moves to fears that sole ally China could "betray" the North amid increasing pressure on Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program.
englishnews@chosun.com / Aug. 19, 2014 09:47 KST
- THIS JUST IN 1:11PM ET
Chung Sung-Jun
North Korea has reportedly moved tanks as well as armored vehicles to its border with China.
The vehicles are reportedly being sent to an army corps near the border, The Chosun Ilbo, one of South Korea's largest newspapers, reports. North Korea's 12th Corps is in charge of "responding to movements of Chinese troops in an emergency."
There is some cause for skepticism, however, as the report came from a single, unnamed source, and nothing has been confirmed by China or North Korea. The source claimed that the tanks and armored vehicles were moved to the border because North Korea fears China could "betray" it over its nuclear program.
If true, though, it would be the latest example of China and North Korea's fraying relationship. While China is by far North Korea's most important ally — and the main provider of its fuel, arms, and food — Beijing is reportedly growing tired of Pyongyang's behavior, especially the renewal of its nuclear program. It was even said that China recentlycut off North Korea's fuel supply. So the question is: Is this North Korea's way of telling China it won't be easily bullied?
--Meghan DeMaria
The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - N.Korea Moves Tanks, Armored Vehicles to Chinese Border
N.Korea Moves Tanks, Armored Vehicles to Chinese Border
North Korea has moved scores of tanks and armored vehicles to an Army corps near the border with China in Ryanggang Province. The 12th Corps, which was established in 2010, is tasked with responding to movements of Chinese troops in an emergency.
A source on Monday said about 80 tanks have been deployed in Ryanggang Province, where there had not been a single one before. The corps has been "turned into an attack force after it has been reinforced" with an armored infantry unit, a unit of multiple rocket launchers, and a special warfare and sharpshooter brigade.
Some 80 new armored vehicles are expected to be deployed soon to the 42nd Brigade in the province. Leader Kim Jong-un has reportedly ordered the rapid deployment of these new vehicles, which have a top speed of 80km/h carrying 10 to 15 troops.
More than 10 new tanks with an automatic fire-control system and a computer monitor have also been deployed to this unit.
The source attributed the moves to fears that sole ally China could "betray" the North amid increasing pressure on Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program.
englishnews@chosun.com / Aug. 19, 2014 09:47 KST
